[cmb263]

Can everyone with tinted windows do me a huge favor and post up-close pix of the dot matrix on their rear windshield and/or back quarter windows?

I think my inexperience has really bitten me in the ass this time. I've never had a Camaro tinted before and didn't even know this dot matrix issue existed until it was too late.

I did 20% carbon film all around at a place that came extremely highly recommended so I figured I was in good hands. While the front windows look great, the dot matrix areas on the back windows and rear windshield are a disaster.

I'm a super perfectionist and it's going to drive me nuts to look at the choppy, uneven line between where the dots end and the clear glass begins. It's like a series of peaks and valleys where the tint adhered closer to the dots in some spots than in others. Very inconsistent and spotty. The real kicker is that I have friends with other model cars whose dot matrix look perfect...the line is completely crisp and clean.

So do I just have bad luck or did this place eff up my car?! ...and do I bother messing with it a second time to "try" to have it fixed?

[nicktechla]

I'm curious about this too. It never looks quite perfect over the dots

[Frankie18SS]

I just had it done a few weeks ago and it really looked like crap. I tried to fix it and made it worse. After a couple days, the film dried out and separates from the matrix. When it does this, it makes a clean line. It looks great now. I'm sure you're gonna be good.

[cmb263]

Originally Posted by Frankie18SS

I just had it done a few weeks ago and it really looked like crap. I tried to fix it and made it worse. After a couple days, the film dried out and separates from the matrix. When it does this, it makes a clean line. It looks great now. I'm sure you're gonna be good.

It's been 9 days...how much longer is reasonable to wait?

[Frankie18SS]

Originally Posted by cmb263

It's been 9 days...how much longer is reasonable to wait?

Uh oh... mine took like 2 or 3 days tops.

[Azerlazer26]

I’ve had my tint for just about a year now. Ill grab pictures of the windows first thing in the morning for you!

[Jeffadd]

film doesnt stick over the dots, a known issue for many yrs on any car with them. /shrug its normal.

[LT4]

Originally Posted by cmb263

Can everyone with tinted windows do me a huge favor and post up-close pix of the dot matrix on their rear windshield and/or back quarter windows? ...

Can you post some pics?

[VinnAY]

You have to have vinyl I think it is applied to the dots and tint over that, usually you have to find a shop that will do it as the regular dot matrix is just otherwise something that you live with. Comes with added cost, too, when I looked in to it.

[crosive]

I posted and the pictures didn't show, then I tried again and it wouldn't due to duplicate post.

let's try this again.

back window and sideglass.

tinted from dealership (I don't know what brand or what company did it)

car is nasty so excuse that. It decided to rain with a 5% chance this morning, happy day.

[ScatPack]

It can be done correctly, but needs to be heat gunned down. I also had a tint guy who did my C6 corvette. He placed black flim over the dots before he tinted over that on the whole rear window. Looked perfect. And on the Corvette rear window, the dot matrix is so far up high, you cant see it from the inside while driving. From the outside it looked perfect.

[LT4Greg]

Crosive, that’s the way my windows and back glass look in my 2017 ZL1 after I had tint put on. Doesn’t seem to bother me but people are different so I understand. If you have new tint put on get ceramic tint as it really makes a difference over regular and is not much more expensive!

[Umbriel]

Looks like every car I have ever had tinted that had those dots on the windows. Totally normal to not stick very well there.

[bignaz]

Yeah that's what happens when you use an inexperienced installer or a cheap shop.

I used a shop and they did a great job. They need to heat the film so you don't get that. Any shop that knows what it's doing will always heat the film so it lays flat.

This is one of those things where there is a difference between a $175 job and a $350 job. I payed $350 for mi back and sides. Top quality tint and they did a perfect job. Place does alot of high-end exotic cars and show cars. Payed more then a typical shop around here but they do top notch work.


I would just leave it. To fox it your going to drop some money. And run the risk of lifting a defrost trace on it. One of those things you do it one time then you just pay the extra money the next time. Also go with a place that stands behind there work and warrantys the install as well as the film.


Now a good shop should be able to fix it. They have steamers that could lift it and they might be able to heat it and lay it flat but you are really messing with the adhesive.